KOTA KINABALU: “As I stood at Tiananmen Square, witnessing this solemn moment alongside world leaders and representatives of the global Chinese diaspora, what filled my heart was not only deep emotion, but also a profound sense of responsibility.
This was a grand occasion where history and the future converged, reminding us to remember the pain of war and to cherish the hard-won peace.”
Datuk Dexter Lau, President of the Malaysia–China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah, expressed these heartfelt reflections after attending the 80th Anniversary Commemoration of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
The solemn atmosphere at the event stirred powerful emotions, and also evoked the painful memories of his own family’s history.
He recalled the stories told by his elders: his grandfather had narrowly escaped death in the chaos of war through sheer resilience and courage; while his grandmother, pregnant with his father, was brutally beaten and kicked by enemy soldiers, nearly losing her life.
At the same time, Malaysia too was engulfed in turmoil, and his family business, Kim Teck Cheong, was forced to halt operations, with survival taking precedence. Reflecting on this, he said,
“In fact, the recent COVID-19 pandemic was also a war without smoke and fire, bringing the world to a standstill.
“As a business with an 88-year legacy, we did everything we could not just to safeguard a livelihood, but to uphold our family’s resilience and enduring responsibility—to carry the business forward, and to pass down our beliefs from generation to generation,” he said.
He further stressed that the commemoration was not about stirring hatred, but about reminding people to cherish peace, and to understand how to protect themselves, their families, and their businesses in times of adversity.
“We, too, have moments of weakness,” he said emotionally, “but what matters is how we respond. Whether in war or in a pandemic, the real test is not whether we fall, but whether we can stand up again after falling.”
As Sabah’s business community leader, Datuk Dexter was invited to Beijing to join heads of state, dignitaries, and Chinese diaspora leaders from around the world at this national event, co-hosted by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, the State Council, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and the Central Military Commission.
The commemoration was held on September 3, 2025, at Tiananmen Square, with a grand military parade as its centerpiece—symbolizing the Chinese nation’s solemn pledge to remember history and cherish peace.
Datuk Dexter remarked that this honor was not his alone, but one that belongs to MCCC Sabah and all its members.
“I represent not only Sabah, but also Sarawak, the whole of East Malaysia, and even Borneo including Brunei. Though Borneo may be geographically far from Beijing, our voice can still be heard on the world stage.”
This commemoration marked the fourth major national celebration since Xi Jinping assumed the role of CPC General Secretary in 2012, and the 19th large-scale military parade since the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The magnitude and significance of the event drew global attention. In addition to China’s top leadership, those present included Russian President Vladimir Putin, DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as well as the presidents of Kazakhstan, Iran, Cuba, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Belarus, among others—truly a gathering of world leaders.
He emphasized that the event reinforced not only the precious value of peace, but also his determination to lead Sabah’s business community onto the international stage.
“To remember history is to illuminate the future, and only through cooperation can we achieve mutual success. Guided by our mission of ‘linking resources, building platforms, and expanding opportunities,’ MCCC Sabah will continue to connect with the world, strengthening Sabah’s role in international trade, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange.”
At the same time, Datuk Dexter shared words of encouragement with the younger generation. He noted that many young people today are quick to give up when faced with difficulties or challenges. Yet history teaches us, again and again, that after the storm comes the rainbow.
“The most important thing,” he emphasized, “is for everyone to engage in self-reflection, to draw lessons from challenges, and to build resilience in adversity. We must take responsibility for our roles, manage our businesses with dedication, and ensure that every step forward is an improvement from yesterday. Only then can we keep moving forward and seize the future,” Datuk Dexter added.
